Kia Soul vs Toyota GR Yaris
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Kia Soul
Price TBC
Hatchback
Petrol
In-line 4 cyl DOHC D-CVVT 16-valve petrol
95kW
6.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
340L
Toyota GR Yaris
From $55,490
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
221kW
8.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
174L
Kia Soul: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h, transmission, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 2 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Toyota GR Yaris counters with Apple CarPlay, heated front seats and JBL audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Soul uses a In-line 4 cyl DOHC D-CVVT 16-valve petrol producing 95kW and 157Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a FWD layout.
The Toyota GR Yaris responds with a Petrol making 221kW and 400Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
The Toyota GR Yaris has the clear power advantage at 221kW vs 95kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Soul measures 4,105mm long on a 2,550mm wheelbase, 110mm longer than the Toyota GR Yaris at 3,995mm (2,560mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota GR Yaris generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 340L in the Kia Soul and 174L in the Toyota GR Yaris, giving the Kia Soul a 166L advantage. The Kia Soul seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m diameter
Good
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the Kia Soul and $2,337/year for the Toyota GR Yaris. That is a $484 annual difference in favour of the Kia Soul.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Kia Soul) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota GR Yaris). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Soul if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota GR Yaris if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Soul takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Kia Soul will save you roughly $484 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Soul has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Soul and Toyota GR Yaris?
The Toyota GR Yaris is the cheapest at $55,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Soul uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Soul holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Toyota GR Yaris, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Soul has the largest boot at 340L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota GR Yaris makes the most power at 221kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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